Women's Lifestyle Grand Rapids March 2017 : Page 72

Solving Business Issues With a Designer Toolbox BY BRI KILROY Astronomy as a Hobby: The Great Solar Eclipse. Expert Jack McCarthy visits with some of his stargazing friends to tell you where to go and what to do to witness the solar eclipse, happening August 21. Schuler Books & Music. 10 am-12:30 pm. www.grpm.org Amazing Words: Fantasy Writing with H.M. Bouwman. Grand Rapids Public Library. 10:30 am. www.grpl.org GR Beer Tours: Beer City Experience. Visit Founders, The Mitten and Harmony Hall Brewery to experience the dynamic beer varieties throughout our city. Meet across from Founders Brewing Company. Noon-4 pm. Book at www.grbeertours.com. March 21 GROW Small Business Class: Successful Relationship Building. Grand Rapids Opportunities for Women. 6-9 pm. Register at www.growbusiness.org. March 22 Established Division Event: Peer-to-Peer Roundtable. Explore topics that help you enhance your leadership and ownership skills while improving your business savvy. Grand Rapids Opportunities for Women. Noon-1:30 pm. www.growbusiness.org VARI Seminar Series: Engineered Tumor Microenvironments and Applications in Metastasis and Dormancy with Dr. Shelly Peyton. Van Andel Institute. Noon. www.vai.org Blood Drive. Cornerstone University. Noon-5:45 pm. www.redcrossblood.org Prospective Literacy Tutor Information Session. Literacy Center of West Michigan. 6-7 pm. Call (616) 459-5151 to register. www.literacycenterwm.org Grand Rapids Drive vs. Raptors 905. DeltaPlex. 7 pm. Tickets at www.deltaplex.com. Golden Dragon Acrobats. These athletes, artists and acrobats come all the way from China to “wow” audience members with an unbelievable acrobatic performance. Forest Hills Fine Arts Center. 7:30 pm. ZZZ&#11;IKÀQHDUWVFHQWHU&#11;FRP W hen thinking about a curriculum that benefits business directors, managers, team leaders, executive directors and working professionals, we don’t immediately think of an art school; however, the Continuing Studies program at Kendall College of Art & Design of Ferris State University (KCAD) has been offering business courses since 2013. This month’s professional program features a course for young and seasoned professionals to improve their business skills by teaching them to approach and solve problems through human-centered design. Human-centered design (also referred to as “design thinking”) is a style of innovation in business that shifts focus from products or services to the users experiencing them. This form of problem solving involves a different kind of toolbox filled with practices in observation, interviews, role-playing and empathy, along with traditional tools used by designers and engineers. KCAD’s Director of Continuing Studies Brenda Sipe underlines that students discover the importance of how a customer interacts with the product or service and how companies can use that information to find success. “It’s all about the customer’s experience,” Sipe said, explaining how practicing empathy helps students view the product or service through the customer’s eyes. Sipe took the class Achieving Success Through Human-Centered Design in 2014 to explore and evaluate customer reactions to various product experiences. “[Since taking the class] I realize I am much more aware on a daily basis of the users of the program,” Sipe said. “It’s made me more empathetic and taught me how to find creative solutions.” The four-class series teaches participants a disciplined approach to solving difficult problems and creating opportunities by asking the right questions and putting themselves into the client’s position. As human beings, we are not always able to put into words what a product or service is missing to achieve ultimate satisfaction, but by putting the customer’s experience as a priority, participants are able to find creative and successful solutions. To cover the diversity of business problems that can arise in different situations, students are asked to bring their own example to class. With that, participants are able to collaborate on a solution, tackling each angle with creative refinement and strategy. Registration for Achieving Success Through Human-Centered Design also includes a 30-minute coaching session with instructor Kathy Glynn, principle consultant for Blue Sky Thinking. Her consultations are known to uncover solutions in both corporate and personal business, making her role as this series’ Continuing Studies instructor invaluable. KCAD’s Continuing Studies: Achieving Success Through Human-Centered Design runs March 3-24, with classes occurring on Fridays. To register for this innovative approach to your business thinking, contact Brenda Sipe at BrendaSipe@Ferris.edu and visit KCAD.edu for more information along with a syllabus. What: KCAD Continuing Studies: Achieving Success Through Human-Centered Design Where: Kendall College of Art & Design, 17 Fountain St. NW When: March 3-24. Full schedule at www.KCAD.edu. Cost: $1,499-$2,499. Contact BrendaSipe@Ferris.edu for details. LaughFest presents Steve Lemme and Kevin Heffernan. You loved them in Super Troopers and Beerfest, now hear how funny these actors are live during their hilarious stand-up show. Wealthy Theatre. 7:30 pm and 10 pm. Tickets at www.laughfestgr.org. LaughFest presents Pete Holmes & Friends. Fountain Street Church. 8 pm. Tickets at www.laughfestgr.org. March 19 /DXJK)HVW·V&#03;6HULRXVO\&#03;)XQQ\&#03;)DPLO\&#03; Adventure Challenge. Gather the family (or 1-3 friends) and get ready to scamper all over Grand Rapids, partaking in funny challenges and activities inspired by shows like The Amazing Race and Expedition Impossible, while competing with other teams of four for ultimate glory. Downtown Grand Rapids. 1-4 pm (registration begins at noon). www.laughfestgr.org Sunday Classical Concert Series presents Almava Trio. Grand Rapids Art Museum. 2-3 pm. www.artmuseumgr.org Miranda Lambert concert. Van Andel Arena. 7 pm. Tickets at www.vanandelarena.com. Il Duo Lirico: Debut Album Release. Musicians Nancy Steltmann and Robert Byrens bring the cello and piano together to perform beloved arias from their album, live. Betty Van Andel Opera Center. 7:30 pm. Tickets at www.operagr.org. March 23 Music in the Stacks: PARTS. Browse WKH&#03;OLEUDU\·V&#03;FROOHFWLRQ&#03;ZKLOH&#03;HQMR\LQJ&#03; a performance by the two-piece electronic band that incorporate a variety of talents to create music. Grand Rapids Public Museum. 7 pm. www.grpl.org Casting Crowns concert. Van Andel Arena. 7 pm. Tickets at www.vanandelarena.com. Spectacular Jazz Series presents Joey Alexander. The 13-year-old jazz pianist and his trio impress audience members with their incredible talent. St. Cecilia Music Center. 7:30 pm. Tickets at www.scmc-online.org. March 24 More than a Woman panel discussion and catalog release SDUW\&#11;&#03;&RQWHPSRUDU\&#03;DUW·V&#03;OHDGLQJ&#03; cultural critics and producers join to discuss their work and the importance of incubators while guests enjoy refreshments and mingle with the artists. Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts. 6-8 pm. www.uica.org Creativity Uncorked: Floral Painting. Grab a glass of wine and learn how WR&#03;SDLQW&#03;YLEUDQW&#03;ÁRUDO&#03;DUUDQJHPHQWV&#0f;&#03; creating a masterpiece that you can bring home. Grand Rapids Art Museum. 7:30-9:30 pm. Register at www.artmuseumgr.org. March 20 Paws, Claws & Corks. Support the furry friends of the Humane Society by sipping on wines and microbrews VLGHG&#03;ZLWK&#03;WDVWHV&#03;RI&#03;*5·V&#03;EHVW&#03;HDWV&#11;&#03; Auction packages include trips, wine, sports memorabilia and other goodies. DeVos Place. 6 pm. Tickets at www.hswestmi.org. Monday Night Jazz Gumbo presents Nick Ayoub and The Family. West Michigan Jazz Society crew dishes out their delicious gumbo while you enjoy music from top jazz performers. The Guest House. 6:30-7:30 pm. www.wmichjazz.org 72 Women’s LifeStyle Magazine • March 2017